Korean Job Discussion Forums

[liquidwmn]

Hi, I'm sure this question has been exhausted to no end, but searching for the info here just sucks....
I will be heading to Japan from Pusan, Korea. I want to head to Kyoto and check out Osaka, and I will probably stay NO longer than 2 days. From Japan I need to fly/or take a boat (which is cheaper?? Do I have a choice?) to Vietnam.
So, knowing this, would a rail pass be a good idea? Would the cost of the RP save me money on getting to Kyoto from the ferry and then to an airport?
(speaking of airports, does anyone know where it would be cheapest to fly from Japan? I've heard Tokyo, but I would like some advice)
Thanks!

[moosehead]

I'm not sure why you would want to go by train to Kyoto for just 2 days total - unless you are counting 2 days AFTER you arrive?

I did that once - no, a rail pass will NOT be cheaper - but the train is pretty long even on the bullet.

it was a few years ago so it's hard to recall but this is for sure, I took the ferry, and those always leave in the morning, so I would have arrived maybe 1-2 in the afternoon. I went to the train station directly, and bought a ticket. I barely had enough time to eat something and my train left. I think I had 1 transfer to do. When I arrived in Kyoto, it was maybe 11 p.m. or so. I do recall that very distinctly because I had difficulty finding my hotel.

Which is another q - Japan can be quite hard to negotiate for the 1st time. Do you have adequate arrangements for someone to pick you up ?

Taxis are HUGELY expensive. Kyoto is worth more than 2 days but that can be ok if you have that plus travel time - so I'd say maybe 10 hours by train from Fukuoka

Osaka is a short (1/2 hr?) commuter ride from Kyoto.

Going to Vietnam from there might cost you considerably more just because of the distance and the fact everything in Jp seems to cost more!

Going by boat? don't know how you would find that, might be difficult.

someone else might know more about that.

*also* make sure you DO have hotel/hostel arrangements when you go to JP, border immi is very strict and want to know exactly what your plans are

good luck and have fun.